Sabathia held a press conference Saturday at the Yankees' spring training complex and announced that he will retire after the conclusion of the upcoming season.

"I just wanted to make this announcement that 2019 will be my final season," Sabathia told reporters. "I want to, obviously, thank a lot of people. I wouldn't be here today, 18 years in the big leagues, without so many different people."

The 38-year-old enters his 19th MLB season. Sabathia said he made his retirement decision earlier in the offseason and only wanted to play with the Yankees.

Sabathia is a six-time MLB All-Star and won the AL Cy Young Award in 2007. He has a 246-153 record with a 3.70 ERA and 2,986 strikeouts in his MLB career. He is 14 strikeouts away from becoming the 17th pitcher in league history to join the 3,000 strikeout club.